Pak tour is more on than off — Dungarpur

Former president of the Board for Control of Cricket in India (BCCI) Raj Singh Dungarpur while speaking exclusively to òf40óThe Indian Express lent credibility to the possibility saying, “according to me the Pakistan tour is more on than off.”

The series between India and Pakistan (comprising four Tests and five one-dayers) originally scheduled for December-January was put off following calls in India for severing of all ties with the neighbour country after the Kargil war strengthened the belief that Pakistan is supporting cross-border Terrorism in Jammu and Kashmir.

Soon after the tour was called off, Dungapur, who went to Pakistan as a delegate for the International Cricket Council meet, on his return to Delhi met External Affairs Minister Jaswant Singh to request for a clearance in the interest of cricket and the two countries.

PCB CONFIDENT: Meanwhile Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) Chief Gen Tauqir Zia has also indicated that a short series may still be possible. Zia has said efforts were on from cricket boards of both countries and the PCB was awaiting a final word from BCCI on Tuesday, daily òf40óThe News reported, according to agencies.

“We’ve started looking into the possibility of hosting the Indians for a short series, which will preferably include three Tests and three one-dayers,” Zia said and added that BCCI had asked for a tentative itinerary for the purpose.

Well-placed sources in PCB said the fresh initiative had the blessings of foreign ministries of both the countries who have taken some clear moves in recent days to reduce tension along the border and open talks at the diplomatic level.

The possibility of the tour had got a boost with Pakistan announcing reduction of troops along Line of Control and India saying they could resume talks with Pakistan, the sources said

BCCI president had also said on Saturday that he had sent a letter to the government to once again reconsider their decision on cancelling Pakistan tour.

Pakistan had also announced the cancellation of the series earlier this month saying they had waited enough but PCB Director Brig Munawwar Rana said they were ready to work overtime to make arrangements for the tour.

“We still consider the tour as on because we’ve been contacted by someone who is very responsible and senior official in BCCI,”Rana said. “We will officially announce the arrival of the Indians on Tuesday if we get a confirmation from them,” he added.

While India have reportedly informed that they would like the tour to commence from January 8, sources said that would not be possible owing to some technical difficulties.

However, they said the finalisation of the itinerary would not be much of a problem since the programme for the original tour had already been sent to BCCI who just had to notify the venues where they would like to play.

They said Pakistan had also to make sure the tour ended well before February 10 when the team leaves for New Zealand.

India last toured Pakistan in 1989-90 under Krisnmachari Srikkanth for a four-Test series which ended in a 0-0 stalemate.